Every month I pre-order comics, trades and other related items from Previews magazine. Even though there is information online for just about everything, I still find the Previews catalog to be the simplest way to scan through the different items and to get some inspiration on what I want to buy.

There’s lots of stuff being offered by Diamond this month: Plenty of great stuff and plenty of crap too… So I will try to sort the wheat from the chaff and hopefully point out some good items that you might order or buy from your LCS or Online Retailer. Our taste may differ– so if you buy something and I hate it… Don’t blame me. I did my best to warn you!

Editor’s Note

Many apologies to Locusmortis!As always, these columns were turned in on time. .. But we were unable to fulfill our end of the deal to get them published as promised. As 2014 starts, we hope to keep any future delays to a minimum. We know you’ll enjoy Locusmortis’ patented snark and truth anyway– we’ll just have to make certain it arrives in a timely fashion next time.

These products saw release during October/November/December– with a few still to come in January 2014.

The STATUS in the description of each product indicates the likelihood of whether I’m going to order it ranging from Firm Orderas the most likely to a POS (Piece of Shit)– with everything else being somewhere in between. I’m sure you can figure it out!

Manara Library Vol 6 HC224 pages$59.99

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes: In this volume, Manara teams up with long-time Moebius collaborator Alejandro Jodorowsky to weave the tale of one of Europe’s most corrupt and depraved families.Eerie Archives Vol 15 HC 294 pages$49.99

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes: Warren Publishing was editorially flaky around this time– but still packed with some of the best Spanish artists of the era along with Paul Neary, Howie Chaykin and Bernie Wrightson.Shaolin Cowboy #132 pages$3.99

Status: Trade-waiting

Additional Notes: Art by Geof Darrow. Do you need any more incentive?The Occultist #132 pages$3.50

Additional Notes: Seriously, if you don’t know how good Francesco Francavilla is– then what fucking planet have you been on the last few years? Do yourself a favour– if you like comics then buy this… Then buy one for a friend too.The Victories Vol 2 – Transhuman168 pages $17.99

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes:ArtistMichael Avon Oeming— without the lead weight around the ankles that is Brian Michael Bendis. Quality stuff.Conan and the People of the
Black Circle #132 pages$3.50

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes: The solicit says these two creators have worked on Conan before– but honestly, I can’t remember when that might have been and I’ve bought every Conan comic for the last 25 years or so. Still, it’s gotta be better than the regular Conan series.Elfquest Special – The Final Quest
One Shot64 pages$5.99

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes: Elfquest is a series that has gone down as legendary in the history of Independent comics… But it was a bit before my time so I’ve never read any. Still, with its reputation– it’s got to be worth a shot.Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven and the Red Death One-Shot32 pages$3.99

Additional Notes: Sometimes nostalgia can cloud the brain and lead one to false reminiscences. Thankfully Nexus isn’t one of those cases– it really is as good as I remembered it and it’s great to have it in a handy collected format.Marvel Classic Character: X-Men #6 – Magneto$49.95

Status: POS

Additional Notes: The solicit describes the style of these as being “funky and distressed”.

Well I’d certainly feel funky if I ordered one of these abominations… And I’d definitely feel distressed if I’d somehow shelled out my hard-earned cash too.

Action Comics Vol 2 – Bulletproof$16.99224 pages

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Some of the worst comics Grant Morrison has ever written… And it’s no surprise he seems to have lost heart during the ongoing trauma that is the DC’s New 52. The fact that this has 7 pencilers credited for 6 issues of content should tell you enough about the current state of DC.Creature Commandos TP288 pages$19.99

Status: Tempted

Additional Notes: This just looks like fun comics, something the current DC Editorial regime seems to have forgotten about. Scooby-Doo Team-Up #132 pages$2.99

Status: Hmmm

Additional Notes: Batman and Robin team up with the Scooby-Doo gang. Could well be the best bat-comic this month!The Sandman – Overture
Special Edition #1$5.9942 pages

Additional Notes: Seems like there are a LOT of “Jim Lee inspired” statues being produced by DC Direct lately… Wonder how much royalty money he’s raking in off them?Forever Evil Director’s Cut #1$5.9964 pages

Status: POS

Additional Notes: A director’s cut is generally considered to be better than the original right? When the names Johns and Finch are attached, I highly doubt it.Justice League 3000 #1 32 pages$2.99

Status: POS

Additional Notes: The solicit originally said “Art by Kevin Maguire”. Of course, we know since then Maguire’s been thrown under the DC bus and replaced with the horrendous art of Howard Porter— because everything DC produces now MUST be Grim n’ Gritty.Action Comics Annual #2 48 pages$4.99

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Normally my eyes glaze over when I see the word “Annual” in Previews– because these days they’re usually a waste of money and paper. In this case though, it said “Krypton Returns”. But wait, didn’t DC already do that story about 3 years ago? Is the New 52 so bereft of ideas they have to recycle stories that are only a few years old?DC Comics – The New 52
Villains Omnibus HC $150.001184 pages

Status: POS – Certified POS Collection of the Month

Additional Notes: The rain forest is being destroyed at an ever increasing rate for shit like this? For fucks sake, what kind of moron would pay money for this shit?Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating
The DC Universe Omnibus HC728 pages$75.00

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Or: “How the Marvel Universe would have turned out if Stan Lee didn’t have Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko to do the heavy lifting for him.”Joe Kubert Presents TP 304 pages$19.99

Additional Notes: I wonder just how much money DC flung at Neil Gaiman to entice him into doing this? I think I’ll hang on and wait for the innumerable different collected versions to come out.Batman Arkham City –
Catwoman Statue$124.95

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Who ever is running the DC Direct Collectibles Department these days must have suffered from a stroke before approving this appalling looking statue.Judge Dredd Year One TP104 pages$17.99

Status: Hmmm

Additional Notes: This series was actually really great… But the price seems rather high for four issues worth of stories.Black Science #132 pages $3.50

Status: Trade-waiting

Additional Notes: Matteo Scalera and Dean White’s art on this looks like Angus McKie’s art from old Heavy Metal magazines– which is a big plus. However Rick Remender’s writing has been a bit shonky recently, so I’ll wait for reviews before committing to this.Drumhellar #232 pages $3.50

Additional Notes: This is one of my favourite series from the last decade. A complete, incredibly satisfying story featuring two of Terry Moore’s trademark strong female lead characters.The Fox #1 32 pages $2.99

Status: Tempted

Additional Notes: The Fox looks an awful lot like The Batman or The Daredevil– but there’s nothing wrong with borrowing from archetypes as long as it’s done well. Plus its written by Mark Waid, probably the best superhero writer of the modern age of comics.All New Soulfire #132 pages $1.00

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Seriously why not just call this “Chicks in Bikinis” and be done with it. Oh and “written by JT Krul” is really going to pump the sales right up, isn’t it?Uber Vol 1 Enhanced HC336 pages $34.99

Status: POS

Additional Notes: I usually just completely ignore Avatar’s shitty offerings but I actually read Uber 0 and #1. Big mistake– this really is the worst sort of garbage you could look at. Sergio Aragonés Funnies32 pages $3.50

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes: Why in the fuck have I not been buying this so far? Honestly, sometimes even for someone like me who sift’s through the dark corners of Previews magazine– you can miss a gem or two along the way.Valerian Vol 5 – Birds of the Master48 pages $11.95

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes: The first of Cinebook’s reissues of the Valerian series that I don’t already have! Gimme, gimme, gimme!

Battling Boy GN208 pages $16.99

Status: Tempted

Additional Notes: Written and drawn by Paul Pope, these are just flat out fun comics without all the angst attached– like how Marvel comics used to be. Legend of the Scarlet Blades Deluxe HC200 pages$49.95

Status: Tempted

Additional Notes: Saverio Tenuta is one of my favourite European artists. He’s had a lot of work reprinted in Heavy Metal magazine over the years and this looks like a nice book. But I think I’ll wait for the general edition rather than this numbered edition. Stardrop Vol 2 – A Place To Hang My Spacesuit GN208 pages$12.95

Status: Recommended

Additional Notes: Creator Mark Oakley self-published some of the all-time best all-ages comics in the late 90s/early 00s– but then sort of dropped out of the industry for a while. Thankfully, he’s back in style.

Vinland Saga Volume 1 HC464 pages$19.99

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes: I’ve been waiting for this series for a while… I’ve read some chapters and this is a really nicely written and drawn adventure saga.Amazing X-Men #132 pages$3.99

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Marvel’s boomerang of resurrection strikes and delivers Nightcrawler back from whatever freezer they had him stored in.X-Men Phalanx Covenant HC552 pages$75

Status: POS – Certified Shit

Additional Notes: From the mid-90s– when hacks Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza were stinking up the X-comics. Marvel has the nerve to try charging $75 for this bucket of bollocks.

Gold Pollen and Other Stories HC 176 pages $27.50

Status: Tempted

Additional Notes: The cover design for this book caught my eye… And when the solicit mentioned avant-garde manga, I got really interested. If money permits, I’m going to give this a shot.Rogue Trooper – Tales of Nu-Earth Vol 2 400 pages $19.99

Status: Recommended

Additional Notes: Straightforward future-war tales from the golden age of 2000AD– with stellar black and white art by Cam Kennedy, Colin Wilson and others.Zombo – You Smell of Crime
and I’m the Deodorant GN 128 pages $16.99

Status: Recommended

Additional Notes: This is a series that proves that Al Ewing isn’t a hack– which is the impression you’d get from reading his Marvel work. This is funny stuff with extremely well-drawn art.Senran Kagura – Skirting Shadows Vol 1 244 pages $12.99

Additional Notes: I first read this in the short-lived 2000AD rival Toxic about 20 years ago. I thought I’d never see it collected, and yet here it is. Written by Pat Mills with typical savage wit and drawn by the late great Martin Emond— this is Mills’ take on James Bond.Charley’s War Vol 10 – The End 120 pages $19.95

Status: Highly Recommended

Additional Notes: The final volume in this landmark series– the highwater mark of British war comics. A fiercely honest anti-war saga, it’s one of my top 5 favourite comic series of all time.Garth Ennis Presents Battle Classics HC 256 pages $29.95

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes: Battle was the comic that Charley’s War and Johnny Red were originally presented in back in the 70s and 80s. This is an anthology of some of the shorter complete stories from the title. Absolutely top notch writing and art.Sunny Vol 2 HC 216 pages $22.99

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes: The first volume of Sunny by Matsumoto Taiyo was an off-beat slice-of-life manga. I expect this edition to continue in the same vein. Matsumoto’s art is a blend of Japanese and European influences– which gives it a distinctive look.Uzumaki Deluxe Edition HC 648 pages $27.99

Status: Highly Recommended

Additional Notes: If you like fucked-up, bizarre horror stories– then this complete collection is a must have.Bakuman Complete Box Set 20 Volumes – around 3500 pages $159.99

Status: Highly Recommended

Additional Notes: So for anyone that hasn’t been following one of the best comics stories of the last decade, here’s a chance to get it all in one go. One thing that slightly pisses me off: The 20 volume box set costs less than getting all the individual volumes one by one– and the box set comes with an additional mini-comic and poster.Tiger and Bunny – The Beginning
Side A and B 160 pages each $9.99

Status: Hmmmm

Additional Notes: This is an adaption of the animated film T & B the Beginning– so it isn’t in the same continuity as the regular manga series. Might wait before getting it.Knights of Sidonia Vol 5 186 pages $12.95

Status: Highly Recommended

Additional Notes: This series gets better and better with every volume. The story is utterly absorbing and I can’t wait to read each volume quickly enough.No Matter How You Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! Vol 1 144 pages $11.99

Status: Hmmm

Additional Notes: I only picked this out because it has the most ridiculously long title I’ve ever seen on a comic book. While I’m here though, can anyone tell me if Yen Press is still printing their books on really awful quality paper?Guillermo Del Toro – Cabinet of Curiosities Limited Edition 256 pages – plus assorted nick-nacks $750.00

Status: For Those with More Money than Sense

Additional Notes: I can’t believe anyone would be dumb enough to buy one of these but I guess there must be plenty of stupid people with lots of money out there.Star Wars – The Death Star Owner’s Technical Manual 128 pages $30.00

Status: Firm Order

Additional Notes: So who the fuck WOULDN’T want to own a Death Star? Sure you’ve got a minor exhaust port issue, but on the other hand you’ve also got a big fuck off laser that can destroy planets!!!William Shakespeare’s Star Wars HC 176 pages $14.95

Status: POS

Additional Notes: I’ve mentioned this before: I fucking hate these kinds of novelty books. They bring this sort of shit out every Christmas with the aim on conning the significant other of a Star Wars/Star Trek/Game of Thrones/Whatever fan into thinking said fan will get a kick out of it. NO, THEY WILL NOT! It’ll go to the most neglected bookshelf and eventually find its way to a charity shop.The DC Comics Guide to Creating Comics – Inside the Art of Virtual Storytelling 192 pages $24.99

Status: “Recommended”

Additional Notes: I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to create great comics. Read this thoroughly and do the exact opposite of whatever it says– and then you might avoid creating anything as awful as the majority of DC’s New 52 comic books.A Very Klingon Christmas 32 pages $16.99

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Yet another one of those loathsome “humorous” novelty TV tie-in books that are about as funny as being poisoned with Polonium 210.The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister HC 112 pages $18.00

Status: POS

Additional Notes: See “A Very Klingon Christmas”

Batman “Hero Wide Point” Knit Hat $17.99

Status: Hmmm

Additional Notes: From the color scheme of this hat, it would appear that Batman is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

The Big Bang Theory –
Sheldon 17″ Talking Figure $44.95

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Given that Sheldon’s only catchphrase is knock, knock, knock “Penny!”, knock, knock, knock “Penny!” I can see the “charm” of this wearing off VERY quickly.The Hunger Games – Catching Fire Action Figures $18.99

Additional Notes: I have zero memory of this appearing in either film– but nevertheless, this would make for a magnificently ugly addition to any mantelpiece.Magdalena “Artifacts”
Fine Art Bronze Statue $3400.00

Status: Certified Beyond Shit (and in Another Dimension of Excrement)

Additional Notes: Jesus wept! Look at the price– and it isn’t even remotely good looking.Stryfe Statue $250.00

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Does the world really need a statue of Rob Liefeld’s lamest design? But hey, the statue designer at least gave Stryfe feet– which Liefeld never bothered to draw!Star Trek Captain Kirk Granix
Slate Artwork $34.99

Status: POS

Additional Notes: 35 bucks for a picture of William Shatner in a girdle? I don’t fucking think so…Robotech Plushes $25.00

Status: Tempted

Additional Notes: Plushes are normally beyond shite, but these are Robotech –so that gives them a free pass. These could make for great cushions for a den or study… Just sayin’.4D Cityscape Game of Thrones Westeros Puzzle $49.99

Status: WANT WANT WANT

Additional Notes: Yeah this is probably the best piece of merch I saw in Previews in 2013. “A bargain at 50 bucks!”, says me.Prometheus Series 3 Action Figures $21.99

Status: POS

Additional Notes: What in the name of Hell’s Teeth are these ugly pieces of shite?Grumpy Cat 11” Plush $21.99

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Old internet meme is old.It Conquered The World Beulah Statue $124.99

Status: Tempted

Additional Notes: This thing is magnificently, spectacularly ugly. I’m tempted to get one just to freak people out.The Walking Dead Governor Mini-Bust $80.00

Status: POS

Additional Notes: Ian is buying 10 of these as you read this…DC Comics Supergirl New 52
Artfx+ Statue $44.99

Additional Notes: I have no idea who these people are, but they look like inbred hillbilly cunts. So– am I right?Palligator Sleeping Bag $200.00

Status: Errr….

Additional Notes: Perfect for those with bad taste. And the guys at A Comic Book Look.DC Heroes 12 oz Coffee Mugs $13.99

Status: Tempted

Additional Notes: These are just about kitschy enough not to be shit.Doctor Who – River Song Deluxe Replica Journal $79.99

Status: POS

Additional Notes: This was going to get a tempted rating, until I saw the fucking price! For that I could get about FIVE moleskin journals.Motorhead – Lemmy Kilmister Icon Series 2 Action Figure $29.99

Additional Notes: The first anime I ever saw was Battle of the Planets– the crippled American translation of Gatchaman. This set is the real deal, with the original hard-hitting plots– and without 7-Zark-fucking-7.The Guild – Complete Megaset $69.95

Status: Tempted

Additional Notes: It’s got Felicia Day in it for fuck’s sake! What more do you want???Inspector Gadget Season One & Two $100(approximate)

Status: Tempted

Additional Notes: Loved this cartoon (and its annoying theme song) when I was a kid. Perhaps some things are better left in the past though.AKB0048 Season 1 $59.98 – 69.98

Status: Recommended

Additional Notes: Another part of AKB’s programme of mass indoctrination of Japan– this time of the young. For a kids cartoon, it’s pretty decent… Plus it has some of the group members as voice actors.Golgo 13 The Complete Collection $99.98 – $129.98

Additional Notes: Little known fact, Australian troops fought alongside Americans in Vietnam War. (There’s an excellent documentary about the Battle of Long Tan here.) But why there’s a film about the Australian experience of the war in Previews is beyond me.Mystery Science Theater 3000 –
The Movie $29.93

Status: Recommended

Additional Notes: Most of you will probably have seen this already but for those who haven’t– this is funny as fuck.Pornodelic Pleasures 184 pages £19.95

I am currently reading Uzumaki,..The story starts great but then gets a bit boring but maybe this is fixed in the end 🙂

On your rec..I just ordered Battling Boy and Garth Ennis Battle Classics..
I am not sure about Vinland Saga because it would mean I have to invest in 5 more volumes…
I will wait for your opinion on Volume 2 before jumping on board..

Shaolin Cowboy? Oh boy you are in for a treat. There is not much I can say without spoiling it..but this series does something soo incredible ridiculous that you 1) applaude its uniqueness and boldness or 2) think its a cheapest move ever…